Stories by Rachel Graham
News
Hurunui council wants to buy shares in irrigation project
The Hurunui District Council is calling for public feedback on its plan to buy almost $500,000 worth of shares in an irrigation project.
Fears over future of popular Port Hills walking track
A popular walking and mountain biking track in Christchurch is still closed a year after the Port Hills fires, and users are worried the fires are being used as an excuse to permanently block access.
Company liquidation sheds doubt on Taupō yoga festival
The New Zealand and Australia arm of the international yoga festival Wanderlust has gone into liquidation owing an estimated $1.6 million.
Major Chch road reopens hours after body found
Police in Christchurch say they are speaking to a number of people in connection to a death overnight.
Family facing deportation overwhelmed by community support
A Queenstown resident says she realised more needs to be done to help a Sri Lankan family who are facing deportation.
Auckland Zoo orangutans arrive for stay in Chch
Three orangutans from Auckland Zoo have finally arrived at their new home in Christchurch.
Soldier dismissed from army after nude photo threat
A soldier who threatened to share nude photos of a woman unless she introduced him to her parents has been dismissed from the army at his court martial.
Govt buildings remain on Chch derelict list
One council and two government-owned buildings remain on a list of problem sites, which the Christchurch City Council say are holding up the rebuild of central city.
'A lot of stuff happening in a really short time'
Frustrated Christchurch residents grappling to grasp the implications of three major regeneration projects in their suburb have taken matters into their own hands.
'We've had enough asset stripping over here'
A proposal to put housing on a Christchurch park, which is currently used as a golf course, has been labelled a land grab.
Miniscule amounts of neonic pesticides harmful - research
Neonic pesticides are "extremely harmful" to bees and other non-target species, even in barely-measurable amounts, new research shows.
North Cantabrians 'furious' over water chlorinaton
A move by the Hurunui District Council to chlorinate the water supply without consulting the public has infuriated many locals. Audio
Selwyn council trials 'smart' playground
Rolleston in Canterbury now has an augmented reality playground.
Research examines Chathams' tsunami risks
Research from the University of Canterbury shows low-lying and isolated communities on the Chatham Island could be at extreme risk from tsunami.
St Bart's ready for post-quake reveal
Restoration work and earthquake repairs have been completed on Canterbury's oldest church, and will reopen its doors to the public today.
Elderly woman fed up with scam callers
An elderly Christchurch woman has been inundated with calls from phone scammers, once getting bothered four times in a single night.
More science technicians needed in NZ - report
New Zealand needs more science technicians, with employers finding it difficult to find staff with more practical skills, the Royal Society says.
Schools find new life after post-quake shake-up
A Christchurch school shut down after the Canterbury earthquakes is humming with activity once again - but with a new identity.
Quake conference cancelled two months after being announced
Nearly $200,000 was spent on a government conference, touted as ensuring valuable lessons were learnt from the Canterbury earthquakes, before its cancellation.
Christchurch encouraged to put the brakes on poor driving
Bad driving habits like weaving between lanes and hesitating when the light turns green are being targeted by a Christchurch transport group. Video
Red-zone kayak cafe pegged for Avon land lease
A cafe and kayak hire could be set up in Christchurch's red-zoned land as part of a community garden project in Richmond.
Kaikōura cut off... again
Containers were no match for landslides that came down over SH1, south of Kaikōura, in heavy rain.
Ashburton's Chinatown could live again
Ashburton's derelict Chinatown, once the largest communal Chinese settlement in the South Island, could be getting a new lease of life.
Car crossed centre line before fiery crash, bus operator says
The owner of the tour bus involved in a crash that killed two people near Te Anau says it appears the rental car crossed the centre line.
Westland to investigate asset deals, contract on hold
A council will investigate all contracts issued by its asset manager after it emerged a cake shop owner's firm got a water treatment plant contract.